MIDDLEBORO — The Office of Economic and Community Development is working to boost the economic vitality of historic downtown Middleboro through cultural grants and collaboration, Town Manager James McGrail has announced.

To support Middleboro’s creative economy, The Office of Economic and Community Development has hosted a grant workshop, engaged with individual and community organizations and raised awareness of available financial support, McGrail said.

As a result of this work, the town has received several grants over the last six months totaling $38,000 for its tourism and cultural sectors.

“Middleboro is poised to bring economic vitality to its downtown,’’ McGrail said. “The creative economy is getting a boost through grants, grit and great community organizing.’’

Middleboro was one of 11 communities that received a Making It Public grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts, which provides training and $15,000 to administer a call for temporary public art in town. 

This five-week training will equip administrators to support, maintain and promote a piece of public art in their communities. At the end of the training, the $15,000 will fund artists selected through a call for art in late 2023-2024.

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